Ryan submitted a new blog post: The Diamond Deuce: Missed Opportunity Continue reading the Original Blog Post
@hudsonjoe49 has a neat thread on it. History - The Diamond Deuce | The H.A.M.B. (jalopyjournal.com) Love the car
I saw that too when it first came on, seemed really cheap for a car with great history. Someone got a bargain...
I like to think so? But it would be a difficult race car to street given the center seat, no windshield, etc... I personally don't think you can/should change any of that.... or anything at all really... Also, whoever got it is gonna have to spend a lot of time considering the Kurtis nose recreation - that's really important to my eyes.
Ryan, Here is the thread from when it was found..... https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/i-think-i-found-larry-neves-2-track-roadster.1192909/
When that thread was posted, I was "stranded" in Hawaii due to Covid lockdowns and was in full on crisis mode trying to figure out what do with my family, etc... So, I just missed it. Had a ton of fun this weekend reading it all... Felt like finding an old magazine I had never read.
Kevan Sledge of the Shifters found the car in the Central Valley of California. It had turned in to a 1970s Fad T show rod, but still retained certain elements that give hints to it's earlier Hot Rodding past. Hudson Joe acquired it with some horse trading, and I'm sure he will chime in to its current where about's and , hopefully a plan to restore it to its original configuration.
Joe was telling us all about his plans for the car, at the GNRS. He's not gonna post any pic's til he's done.
Don’t worry guys and gals it’s going to a good home. I can’t save them all. I have more secret race cars in the works. I’m not a huge car show guy and the new owner is. It’s all secret until the new owner gives the ok. Have a great week and get busy! 3 races are coming up! Support what’s good! Love H.J.
And for the correct historic info about the Neves T. The car was originally found in Oakland by Austin Thornton youngster51 aka hotrodmerchant on Instagram. He did all the homework along with other Hamb members in figuring out that it was in fact the Neves T. There’s a 10 page thread on the process. Kevan bought it from Austin and I owned it next I had every intention of bringing it back but I have a car that needs to be done and enjoyed. The most important thing about documentation is you have to have the correct list of owners so you can follow a trail. We all pass away and chances are youngster51 aka hotrodmerchant will be the last to tell you any info about the car since he is the youngest. Every car I’ve ever bought never really came with a list of names. A young kid just getting into this crazy hobby found a killer car! There is still hope.
It sure was hiding under that modern do-over...I'll bet Youngster's eyes went blurry when that Old Hotrod came into focus...again there are a number of Hambers here that really have a handle on the History we revere here... Thanks to everyone that had a hand in the rescue of this Hotrod and congratulations to the new owner. Sorry you missed out on it @Ryan... Silver lining is it seems we will likely see it continuing it's journey back to it's former glory right here... @Jimmy B comes to my mind as a one who might consider this rock n' roller...how's things down under there Jimmy...
Thanks everyone happy to have had a part in bringing this historic lost hot rod back into the hands of the real hot rodders of today. I pulled this T out of a back yard in Oakland Ca. Where it has Been owned since the mid 50s. At first I thought what a great car to Rob parts off of then after showing the survivor Fad T at Sacramento autorama and learning more of its previous history I started the hamb thread. After months of investigating and help from many of the members here it Was revealed to be the Neves T. My plans of having it restored fell short with the passing of a few guys I had lined up to help. I sold the T to Kevan and then Kevan sold it to Joe. Joe’s work on the history of the car was amazing to watch and he completed much of the story of the car that was missing and connected all the dots. I’ve never met anyone that could dig up lost photos and Information like him I could say he is obsessed with historic Ca. Hot rods and customs and we’re lucky to have him in the hobby. Can’t wait to see the car restored back to its glory. @hudsonjoe49
Damn and it was almost a parts car . We’ve all been there at one point. Ever since my old boss Bill Albright handed me an early hotrod magazine I was hooked! Where are these cars? How can I get one? I was also introduced to the antique drags by Albright as well. I built my first antique drag roadster and 49 Hudson custom before I found any other historical Hotrods, racecars or customs. I can definitely see your drive and dedication in this hobby/life. It honestly takes a village to get anything done. Brian Butler helped me a lot with the search. He went to high school with Pachecos grandson. Kevan and I went back and forth trying to figure out what color it was. I bought a lot of RRI programs and read a lot. Followed NCRRA and RRI until the roadsters went to hard tops and fizzled out. I was deep in it. But I remembered a special car that I need to enjoy. I’m just picking up the pieces the gods of speed left us and hoping there’s more Austins when we are gone.
great story - as others, looking forward to future details and pictures - maybe see it in public some day?
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